Pazzini Off to Sampdoria

byGuest PostonJanuary 15, 2009

English Premiership side Everton have lost out on their bid to bolster their strike force. The club was rumored to be after Giampaolo Pazzini, but Sampdoria has snuck in and taken the striker off of Fiorentina’s hands in a deal that could be worth an eventual €8million (£7.2m).

The 24-year-old former Italian U-21 international was a lock for first-team minutes last year at Fiorentina. This year he has seen his minutes dwindle, mainly because of the arrival of Alberto Gilardino.

Along with the massive amount of cash, Sampdoria forward Emiliano Bonazzoli is moving to Fiorentina. The Italian power has the option to retain Bonazzoli at the end of the summer if it so chooses.

Who wins, who loses?

Clearly Pazzini is the biggest winner as he now should find himself back in a starting eleven rotation at Sampdoria. He can find the back of the net as evidenced by his 25 goals in over 100 league matches with Fiorentina.

The jury is still out on Sampdoria and Fiorentina. But if injuries arrive at Fiorentina, not having a player of Pazzini’s caliber around could be disastrous.